Vanity mirror or vehicle accessory assembly and mounting apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seat assembly is disclosed, comprising a vehicle seat; a mirror disposed on the rear side of the seat; and preferably a cover for the mirror with a means for mounting the cover to the assembly. A second embodiment is disclosed wherein a light is disposed on the rear side of the seat. Preferably, the mirror or light are covered when the cover is in a closed position. A third embodiment is disclosed wherein the mirror is movable. Preferably the mirror, or mirror and light, assembly is mounted to an apparatus provided for supportingly interconnecting a head restraint with the vehicle seat, either in a fixed position or in a vertically movable arrangement.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of a copending application for U.S. Ser.No. 746,676, filed June 20, 1985, which is a continuation-in-part of anapplication for U.S. Letters Patent, Ser. No. 627,280, filed July 2,1984, and both of said applications are expressly incorporated herein byreference, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mirror assemblies, mirror andlight assemblies, and various other accessory assemblies, and moreparticularly to apparatus for mounting such assemblies on a seatassembly for a vehicle or other such device.

Automotive vehicle sunvisors having lighted vanity mirrors for forwardseat passengers are known in the art. Such mirrors are normally locatedon the side of the visor facing the passenger when in lowered positionand may be adjusted to the desired reflecting angle through adjustmentof the visor, the angle of the mirror relative to the visor being fixed.These mirrors, as well as various lights and other vehicle accessoriesare frequently provided for the comfort and convenience of forward seatpassengers.

In general, no similar vanity mirrors or other such accessories havebeen available for the convenience of rear seat passengers. Also, theonly lights generally available for rear seat passengers for reading orthe like while the vehicle is underway have been located in the headerof the roof, or in some cases in side pillars of the vehicle. Suchlights, if shining while the vehicle is underway, can be distracting tothe driver and can possibly impair his clear vision of outside trafficconditions, particularly at night.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention toprovide a vanity mirror and map or reading light arrangement whichovercomes the aforementioned disadvantages of prior arrangements. Theinvention resides in the provision of a mirror assembly, or a miror andlight or other accessory assembly, which is mounted so as to be disposedgenerally on the rear side of one or both of the front vehicle seatassemblies, either on the seat portion or on the head restraint portionthereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-positionvanity mirror, a multi-position vanity mirror and map or reading light,or other accessory arrangements for back seat passengers, as well as onewhich may be covered if desired.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of aneat, attractive head restraint for front seats which incorporates avanity mirror, a vanity mirror and map or reading light, or othervehicle accessory arrangement for back seat passengers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a vanitymirror, a vanity mirror and light, or other accessory arrangement with amounting apparatus that is relatively simple and inexpensive tomanufacture and install either as standard or optional equipment on thevehicle, and that can be relatively easily removed and replaced ifrepairs or servicing is needed.

Front seat head restraints, or head rests, whether integrated orseparate from the seat, have now become safety mandated standardequipment in order to protect passengers against neck injuries resultingfrom sudden vehicle acceleration caused by rear end collisions. Suchhead restraints are normally in close alignment with the forward visionof rear seat passengers. This has been discovered to provide anexcellent location for a vanity mirror or other vehicle accessories foruse by a rear seat passenger, except that most head restraints, unlikesunvisors, have a relatively fixed position so as not to easilyaccommodate adjustment of mirror angle. However, conventional headrestraints do have a substantial depth, relatively greater than thethickness of a sunvisor, and this has been found to be sufficient toaccommodate a pivotal mounting for the mirror within the headrest.

Typically, many vehicle seat assemblies having such head restraintsinclude one or more head restraint mounting members or apparatuses thatinterconnect and support the head restraints relative to the seat,either in a fixed, or in a generally vertically adjustable, relationshiptherewith. Whether such head restraint mounting apparatuses support thehead restraints in positions spaced apart from the seats, or in contactor engagement with the seats, they have been discovered to provide asuitable and convenient structure to which a mirror assembly, a mirrorand light assembly, or other vehicle accessory assembly can be anchoredand retained, usually with little or no modification to the seatassembly. Thus, the present invention provides for mounting apparatusfor connecting such assemblies to such head restraint mounting apparatusin order to support the assemblies generally either on the rear side ofthe seat, or on the rear side of the head restraint. Among otheradvantages, such an arrangement allows a vehicle manufacturer to offersuch assemblies as either standard equipment or as optional equipment ona particular vehicle, usually without the necessity of manufacturing andproviding different seat or head restraint components of the seatassembly.

Furthermore, the provision of side lights on the mirror combined with asuitable pivoting action has also been found to provide a convenientsupplemental reading or map light for the rear passengers which, infact, may take the place of and obviate the necessity for a conventionaloverhead header or pillar light, with its attendant disadvantages.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from a reading of the detailed description of the preferredembodiments, which make reference to the following set of drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the rear side of a headrestraint on the top of a vehicle front seat incorporating an embodimentof the vanity mirror assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along line 2--2of FIG. 1, but with the head restraint in a raised position with respectto the seat.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along line 3--3of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial transverse cross-sectional view of a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial perspective views of third and fourthembodiments of the present invention, respectively.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG.4, but illustrating a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, butillustrating the details of construction of a light assembly of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 9 through 12 are partial perspective views of four additionalembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the rear side of a headrestraint and vehicle seat incorporating an exemplary embodiment of avanity mirror and light assembly and associated mounting apparatusaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along lines14--14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 13, butillustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is another partial perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 13,but illustrating still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along lines17--17 of FIG. 16.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are partial perspective views of two additionalexemplary embodiments employing the principles of the present inventionfor mounting other vehicle accessories on a vehicle seat assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a head restraint 10mounted on the top of a vehicle front seat 11 and incorporating alighted vanity mirror assembly 12 comprising an open plastic receptacle22, in which is disposed a mirror housing 20 supporting a mirror 13,side lights 14, a light switch 15, and a cover 16 having a fabric hinge17 and hook-and-loop strips 18. Mating hook-and-loop elements 19disposed on receptacle 22 retain cover 16 in its closed position. Asbest shown in FIG. 3, housing 20 is provided with pivotal extensions 21at each end pivotally disposed in suitable sockets in the ends ofreceptacle 22, which is embedded within the head restraint. Suitablewiring 23 extends along the headrest mounting arm 24 for lights 14operated by switch 15, which may be of either the manually actuatedslide type, or of the pushbutton type responsive to cover opening andclosing control. It should be noted that in the various embodiments ofthe invention illustrated herein, the head restraint can be either fixedwith respect to the seat, or selectively movable relative to the seat inorder to selectively adjust or alter its vertical position relative tothe seat.

It will be understood that tilting of the mirror about a horizontal axisto any desired mirror reflecting, or map reading, angle as illustratedfor example at 25 in FIG. 2, may be accommodated by the pivotal mountingat 21.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated in transverse cross-section ahead restraint 30 comprising a foam core 32, a reinforcing element 34embedded therein, an outer skin 36 and a mirror assembly 40. The core,reinforcing element, and skin are conventional. Reinforcement element 34is typically manufactured from sheet metal and possesses the propertiesand characteristics required by the automobile industry for sustainingshocks of acceleration and deceleration. It is of an overall tubularconfiguration, as shown in FIG. 4, comprising a flange 36, a bottom wallportion 38, rear wall portions 40 and 42, a top wall portion 44substantially parallel to bottom wall portion 38, and a front wallportion 46. Reinforcement element 34 typically has a plurality ofapertures 48 extending therethrough so that it will be permeated withfoam and will be of minimum weight for its desired strength.

Head restraint 30 is typically mounted to the vehicle seat by one ormore mounting arms 50 (generally similar to arms 24 in FIG. 1) extendingthrough corresponding apertures 52 in bottom wall portion 38. Mountingarms 50 typically have an angled upper portions 54 affixed to mountingtabs 56 lanced out of wall portion 40. Mounting arms 50, which can beeither rectangular or cylindrical cross-section, have one or moregrooves 58 in which are disposed power leads 60. Furthermore, mountingarms 50, like any of the other mounting arms shown and discussed herein,can optionally be movable relative to the seat in order to allowselective adjustment of the vertical position of the head restraint 30relative to seat 11.

Mirror assembly 40 comprises a mounting plate 62 having a shapecomplimentary to reinforcement element 34 and is affixed thereto byrivets or the like 64. Plate 62 supports, as by threaded fasteners 66, arectangular open receptacle 68 (preferably composed of a plasticmaterial), in which is pivotally disposed a mirror housing 70 (shown inphantom lines), which is identical to mirror housing 20 in the firstembodiment. Receptacle 68 has a peripheral flange 72 which is generallyflush with the surface of the head restraint and frames mirror housing70. Mirror assembly 40 also includes a cover 72 having an overallrectangular shape in plan and comprising a relatively stiff elongatedplanar member 74 covered by a foam cushion 76 and an outer covering 78.Covering 78 includes an integral hinge portion 80 by which the cover issecured to head restraint 30, as by means of prongs 81 projectinginwardly from the inside face of the lower portion of flange 72. A pad82 is positioned on cover 72 for contacting plunger 84 of a suitablelight switch 86 affixed to the bottom of receptacle 68 and flange 72.Pad 82 may be a hard plastic circular disk and is positioned so that itactuates plunger 84 when the cover is pivoted upwardly to its closedposition.

In order to secure cover 72 in its closed position one or more magnets88 are affixed to the inside face of the top portion of flange 72, and ametallic strip 90 is positioned in cover 72 underneath covering 78. Ifdesired, magnets 88 may be mounted by snapping them into a suitablyshaped groove located as shown in FIG. 4. Magnets 88 magneticallyattract metallic strip 90 to secure cover 72 in a closed position whenit has been manually pivoted to that position. Optionally, however, thehook-and-loop elements 18 and 19, shown in FIG. 1, or other suitableretention means can be employed to retain cover 72 in a closed position.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 is similar to that of FIG. 4, except that cover72 is pivoted at its top edge, rather than at its lower edge, and thehead restraint 92 is of a slightly different overall configuration.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 5, except that thecover is divided into two portions 94 and 96, each secured to headrestraint 98 by a vertically extending integral hinge 100 disposed onthe lateral sides thereof. In this particular embodiment, cover portions94 and 96 can optionally each be provided with a mirror 102 on itsinterior surface. The increased number of mirrors increases the visiblesurface of the viewer. If desired, illumination means 104 may also bepositioned on each cover portion 94 and 96. The embodiment of FIG. 6also incorporates a dual mounting arm configuration having two generallycylindrical hollow tubular arms 106. In this configuration, power leads60 may be positioned in the interior of each of hollow tubular arms 106.Mounting arms 106 may be secured to the head restraint reinforcementelement generally in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 4.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the mirror housing 70 is mounted by a balland socket connection to provide for limited universal movement of themirror and lights with respect to the seat and head restriant. Theconnection comprises a socket 108 affixed to mounting plate 46 and acomplimentary shaped and sized ball member 110 attached to the back ofmirror housing 70 and pivotally disposed in socket 108. The parts may beformed of a resilient material, such as plastic, so that they may beassembled by being merely snapped together. This embodiment is otherwisegenerally the same as that of FIG. 4.

In FIG. 8 there is shown, in cross-section, a representative lightassembly, usually two of which are used in each mirror assembly. At thelocation of a light assembly, mirror housing 70 preferably comprises aremovable Fresnel-type lens 112, a support bracket and reflector 114affixed to housing 70 and overlying the inside face of lens 112, and abulb socket and reflector member 116 affixed to bracket 114, in which aconventional bulb 118 is removably disposed. Power is supplied usingconventional wiring from the vehicle battery. Alternatively, a separatebattery can be located in each seat or head restraint provided with avanity mirror of the present invention. The switch circuit isconventional.

The present vanity mirror assembly 12 may also be positioned in or onthe back of a vehicle seat 150 having an integral head restraint 152, asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 9 integral head restraint 152 ismodified to accommodate the vanity mirror assembly 12 described herein.Alternatively, vanity mirror assembly 12 of the present invention may bepositioned elsewhere on the back of vehicle seat 150, as shown in FIG.10. Since the present invention provides for pivoting movement of themirror and lights, the vanity mirror assembly can be positioned in amultiplicity of positions on a vehicle seat back and still functionsatisfactorily.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, inwhich a mirror assembly 200 is pivotably mounted to a head restraint 202having a recess 204 on its posterior side for storage of mirror assembly200 in its closed position. Mirror assembly 200 comprises a lightassembly 206, a mirror 13 and a base plate 208. The mirror and lightassembly can be of any desired construction. The base plate 208 isgenerally rectangular in plan and is hinged along its top edge (whenopen) to head restraint 202, in any suitable manner. Light assembly 206preferably projects from the plane of base plate 206, and has arectangular lens positioned adjacent the top edge of mirror 13 whenassembly 200 is open. The light assembly and mirror retract into therecess 204 of head restraint 202 when the assembly is in its closedposition. Any suitable type of closing and latching means may be used tomaintain the assembly in its closed position, including magnetic means,hook-and-loop fastener means, latch-and-catch means, or the like. Mirrorassembly 200 is shown in an intermediate position in FIG. 11. When open,the mirror assembly hangs generally downwardly where it can be manuallytilted to any desired position.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, inwhich a head restraint 300 has a recess 302 on its posterior sideadapted to accept a vanity mirror and light assembly 304. Assembly 304comprises a base plate 306 hinged at 308 to a mirror support 310 onwhich is mounted a mirror 312 and a pair of light assemblies 314 of anydesired type. Assembly 304 is pivotally connected to restraint 300 by apivotal hinge located at 316.

Mirror 312 (and lights 314) can be manually set at any inclination bymerely swinging the assembly about pivot 316, with the top edge of theassembly resting against the bottom surface of recess 302. If desired,suitable notches may be provided on either mirror support 310 or one ofthe surfaces of recess 302, with corresponding projections on the otherpart, in order to provide fixed mirror positions. To close the assembly,mirror support 310 is swung downwardly against base plate 306, and theentire assembly swung upwardly into closed position, where it can bemaintained by any suitable latch or gripping arrangement.

FIGS. 13 through 19 illustrate various embodiments of seat assembliesgenerally similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 through 12, but having amounting apparatus for a mirror, a mirror and light, or other vehicleaccessory assembly, operably connected with, and retained, by anapparatus for mounting and interconnecting a head restraint with avehicle seat. In FIG. 13, a head restraint 410 is mounted on the top ofa vehicle front seat 411, and the vehicle seat assembly incorporates anexemplary lighted vanity mirror assembly 412 thereon. The mirrorassembly 412 includes a receptable 422, in which a mirror housing 420supports a mirror 413, one or more side lights 414, and preferably acover 416, which are generally similar to the corresponding elementsdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 1 through 12. Because many ofthe elements of the embodiments in FIGS. 13 through 19 correspond eitherstructurally or functionally to similar elements in FIGS. 1 through 12,such elements of FIGS. 13 through 19 are indicated by reference numerals300 numerals higher than the corresponding elements of FIGS. 1 through3.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, head restraint mounting arms 424 for mounting andsupporting head restraint 410 on vehicle seat 411. Head restraint 410can be supported in a fixed vertical position relative to seat 411, orseat 411 can optionally include appropriate receptacles 431 (shown inFIG. 14) for slidably receiving mounting arms 424 in order to allow thevertical position of head restraint 410 to be selectively adjusted oraltered.

Mirror and light assembly 412 includes a mounting plate 426, which ispreferably fixedly attached to, or integrally formed with, receptacle422. Mounting plate 426 includes openings 427 for receiving mountingarms 424 extending therethrough for mounting and retaining mirror andlight assembly 412 on vehicle seat 411. In such an arrangement, mountingplate 426 rests generally flatly on top of vehicle seat 411, with mirrorand light assembly 412 being correspondingly disposed and supported onthe rear side of vehicle seat 411 and being retained in such position bythe interconnection of mounting plate 426 and head restraint mountingarms 424.

As shown in FIG. 14, mounting plate 426 preferably includes a recessedportion 428 for receiving one or more electrical power leads 423, whichelectrically interconnect a vehicle power source with side lights 414.Electrical power leads 423 can be received and at least partially housedwithin a groove or other recessed portion 433 formed in mounting arms424 in order to allow power leads 423 to be routed through vehicle seat411 to the mirror and light assembly 412. In one variation of thepresent invention wherein head restraint 410 and mounting arms 424 arevertically movable in order to allow for selective adjustment of thevertical position of head restraint 410, such grooves or recessedportions 433 can be sized and configured to slidably engage power leads423 as head restraint 410 and mounting arms 424 are raised or loweredwithin receptacles 431 in vehicle seat 411. Alternatively, as discussedbelow, such electrical power leads 423 can be optionally housed withinthe typically cylindrical tubular and hollow mounting arms 424 inembodiments of the invention wherein such vertical adjustability of headrestraint 410 is not required.

It should be noted that although mirror and light receptacle 422 andmounting plate 426 are illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 as merely restingagainst the rear side and top of vehicle seat 411, respectively, suchcomponents can optionally be releasably or fixedly attached to vehicleseat 411 by hook-and-loop fastener devices, or by other suitablefastening apparatus known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 15 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, which is generally similar to that discussed above and shownin FIGS. 13 and 14, except that the pair of preferably cylindrical andhollow mounting arms 424 are replaced by a single mounting arm 424a,which is typically rectangular in lateral cross-section. In order toprovide the above-discussed retention and support of mirror and lightassembly 412a, mounting plate 426a in FIG. 15 is correspondinglyprovided with a single, generally rectangular opening 427a. In all otherrespects, the exemplary arrangement depicted in FIG. 15 is substantiallysimilar to that of FIGS. 13 and 14, and is adaptable in embodiments ofthe present invention wherein head restraint 410a is either fixedlysupported and interconnected with vehicle seat 411a or verticallyadjustable relative thereto.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate still another optional, exemplary variationon the present invention for a vehicle seat assembly generally similarto those described and illustrated in connection with FIGS. 13 through15, except that mirror and light assembly 412b is positioned andreceived within an opening or relieved portion 409b in head restraint410b. In such an optional embodiment, mirror and light assembly 412bincludes a mounting plate 426b, which is fixedly attached to, orintegrally formed with, receptacle 422b. Mounting plate 426b, in FIGS.16 and 17, includes outwardly-exctending proportions 435b, which haveopenings 427b for receiving head restraint mounting arms 424btherethrough. By such an arrangement, mirror and light assembly 412b issupported and retained by the interconnection between the mounting plate426b and the mounting arms 424b in a generally upwardly-extendingposition relative to the top of vehicle seat 411b when installedthereon. If deemed necessary or desirable in a particular installation,mounting plate 426b can be attached to the bottom of head restraint 410bby a fastener 429, as shown in FIG. 17, or by other suitable fasteningapparatus known to those skilled in the art.

Because mounting plate 426b supports mirror and light assembly 412b inthe above-described position extending upwardly into the opening orrelieved portion 409b of head restraint 410b, one or more power leads423b can be routed through the typically cylindrical and hollow mountingarms 424b and through the recessed portion 428b in mounting plate 426bfor providing electrical interconnection of side lights 414b with avehicle power source. Such an arrangement can be employed in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, regardless of whether headrestraint 410b and mounting arms 424b are fixed relative to vehicle seat411b or vertically movable in order to provide for selective adjustmentof the vertical position of head restraint 410b. Alternately, mirror andlight assembly 412b, as well as any of the other mirror, light or otherassemblies discussed herein and shown in the drawings, can optionally beprovided with a replaceable electrical battery or other internal powersource in order to avoid the necessity for routing electrical powerleads through the vehicle seat.

FIGS. 18 and 19 depict further exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention for purposes merely illustrating the wide variety ofapplications in which the principles of the present invention canadvantageously be employed. In FIG. 18, for example, an accessoryassembly 412c is generally similar to the exemplary mirror and lightassemblies 412 through 412b discussed above in connection with FIGS. 13through 17, except that the mirror and lights are replaced by atelevision or video monitor and receiving device 435c. Video device 435ccan be provided for the convenience and entertainment of rear seatpassengers and can optionally be accompanied by a video game apparatus437c, or other such accessories. Video device 435c, and optional gameapparatus 437c, are selectively operable by way of suitable controls439c and are installed in accessory assembly 412c, which is retained andsupported on the rear side of seat 411c by a connection between mountingplate 426c and mounting arms 424c in an arrangement similar to thatdiscussed above and shown in FIGS. 13 through 15.

FIG. 19 depicts an exemplary rear seat vehicle accessory assembly 412d,which is generally similar to accessory assembly 412c, described above,and is mounted in a similar manner on vehicle seat 411d by a mountingplate 426d connected to mounting arms 424d. Rather than the videomonitor and game equipment shown for purposes of illustration in FIG.18, however, exemplary accessory assembly 412d includes audio apparatus441d, which in turn can optionally include such equipment as audiospeakers 443d, a cassette, a compact disc player, or other audioequipment indicated diagrammatically by reference numeral 445d, andstereo AM/FM receiver 447d, for example. Like the video equipmentdiscussed above, the audio equipment shown for purposes of illustrationin FIG. 19 can be provided for the convenience and entertainment of rearseat vehicle passengers and accordingly includes appropriate controlsindicated generally by reference numeral 439d.

From the foregoing discussion, and the illustrations shown in FIGS. 13through 19, one skilled in the art will now readily recognize that themounting arrangements shown in FIGS. 13 through 19 can be employed formounting any of a number of accessory assemblies on a vehicle seatassembly, in either a generally downwardly-depending position as shownin FIGS. 13 through 15, 18 and 19, or in a generally upwardly-extendingdisposition as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

Although it is not shown specifically in the drawings, one skilled inthe art will now recognize that any of the mounting plates shown inFIGS. 13 through 19 for mirror, light, or other vehicle accessoryassemblies can optionally be provided with narrow openings or slotscommunicating the respective openings 427 through 427d with a peripheraledge of the respective mounting plates in order to allow the respectivemounting plates to be snapped onto the respective head restraintmounting arms, or otherwise retained thereon, without removing the headrestraint from the vehicle seat. Such an arrangement can beadvantageously provided for after-market or dealer-installed mirror,light, or other accessory assemblies, for example. It should further benoted that many of the various features and optional components shown inFIGS. 1 through 12, and discussed above, can also be incorporated in theembodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 19.Likewise, the various mounting arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 13through 19 can also be incorporated in the appropriate embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 12.

The mounting arrangements for the mirror, light, and other accessoryassemblies discussed above provide for a relatively simple andconvenient installation of such assemblies on the rear side of frontvehicle seats, either as standard vehicle equipment or as optionalequipment, with little or no changes or modifications being required inthe vehicle seat assemblies. Furthermore, servicing or replacement ofsuch assemblies can be conveniently and easily accomplished by merelyremoving the associated head restraints and head restraint mounting armsin order to release the assemblies from their associated vehicle seats.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes exemplary embodimentsof the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognizefrom such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings, that variouschanges, modifications and variations may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a seat assembly for a vehicle, including aseat having front and rear sides, a head restraint, and head restraintmounting means for interconnecting said head restraint with said seat,the improvement comprising: a mirror housing including a mirror; and amirror housing mounting means coupled with said mirror housing formounting said mirror housing on the rear of said seat assembly, saidmirror housing mounting means including means for coupling with, andbeing retained by, the head restraint mounting means in order to retainand support said mirror housing on the rear side of the seat the headrestraint mounting means including at least one mounting armsupportingly interconnecting the head restraint with the seat, saidmirror housing mounting means including at least one opening extendingtherethrough for receiving said mounting arm extending therethrough inorder to connect said mirror housing with said mounting arm and toretain said mirror housing on the seat assembly.
 2. The improvementaccording to claim 1, wherein said mirror housing mounting means isconnected with, and retained by, the head restraint mounting means at aposition generally between the seat and the head restraint.
 3. Theimprovement according to claim 2, wherein said mirror housing means andthe head restraint mounting means support said mirror housing in agenerally downwardly-suspended disposition relative to the top of theseat when said mirror housing is mounted thereon, said mirror housingmounting means being the sole means for retaining said mirror housing tothe seat assembly.
 4. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein saidmirror housing mounting means and the head restraint mounting meanssupport said mirror housing in a generally upwardly-extendingdisposition relative to the top of the seat when said mirror housing isinstalled thereon.
 5. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein saidmirror housing mounting means includes a plate member having saidopening extending therethrough, said plate member being fixed to saidmirror housing.
 6. The improvement according to claim 5, wherein saidmirror housing includes a mirror receptacle means for receiving andsupporting said mirror thereon, said plate member being integrallyformed with said mirror receptacle means.
 7. The improvement accordingto claim 5, wherein the head restraint mounting means includes a numberof said mounting arms, and said plate member includes a correspondingnumber of said openings extending therethrough.
 8. The improvementaccording to claim 1, wherein the head restraint and said mounting armare movable with respect to the seat in order to selectively adjust thevertical position of the head restraint relative to the seat assembly,said mounting arm being slidably received in said opening in saidportion of said mirror housing mounting means for movement of the headrestraint and said mounting arm relative thereto.
 9. The improvementaccording to claim 8, wherein said opening in said mirror housingmounting means is disposed generally between the seat and the headrestraint, said mirror housing mounting means and the head restraintmounting means supporting said mirror housing in a generallydownwardly-suspended position relative to the top of the seat when saidmirror housing is mounted thereon, said mirror housing mounting meansbeing the sole means for retaining said mirror housing to the seatassembly.
 10. The improvement according to claim 8, wherein said mirrorhousing mounting means includes a plate member having said openingextending therethrough, said plate member being fixed to said mirrorhousing.
 11. The improvement according to claim 10, wherein the headrestraint is movable with respect to the seat in order to selectivelyadjust the vertical position of the head restraint relative to the seatassembly, said mirror housing being retained for movement with the headrestraint with respect to the seat.
 12. The improvement according toclaim 1, wherein said opening in said mirror housing mounting means isdisposed generally between the seat and the head restraint, said mirrorhousing mounting means and the head restraint mounting means supportingsaid mirror housing in a generally upwardly-extending dispositionrelative to the top of the seat when said mirror housing is installedthereon.
 13. In a seat assembly for a vehicle, including a seat havingfront and rear sides, a head restraint, and head restraint mountingmeans for interconnecting said head restraint with said seat, theimprovement comprising: a light housing including a light; and a lighthousing mounting means coupled with said light housing for mounting saidlight housing on the rear of said seat assembly, said light housingmounting means including means for coupling with, and being retained by,the head restraint mounting means in order to retain and support saidlight housing on the rear side of the seat, the head restraint mountingmeans includes at least one mounting arm supportingly interconnectingthe head restraint with the seat, said light housing mounting meansincluding at least one opening extending therethrough for receiving saidmounting arm extending therethrough in order to connect said lighthousing with said mounting arm and to retain said light housing on theseat assembly.
 14. The improvement according to claim 13, wherein saidlight housing mounting means is connected with, and retained by, thehead restraint mounting means at a position generally between the seatand the head restraint.
 15. The improvement according to claim 14,wherein said light mounting means and the head restraint mounting meanssupport said light housing in a generally downwardly-suspendeddisposition relative to the top of the seat when said light housing ismounted thereon, said light housing mounting means being the sole meansfor retaining said light housing to the seat assembly.
 16. Theimprovement according to claim 14, wherein said light housing mountingmeans and the head restraint mounting means support said light housingin a generally upwardly-extending disposition relative to the top of theseat when said light housing is installed thereon.
 17. The improvementaccording to claim 13, wherein said light housing mounting meansincludes a plate member having said opening extending therethrough, saidplate member being fixed to said light housing.
 18. The improvementaccording to claim 17, wherein said light housing includes a lightreceptacle means for receiving and supporting said light thereon, saidplate member being integrally formed with said light receptacle means.19. The improvement according to claim 17, wherein the head restraintmounting means includes a number of said mounting arms, and said platemember includes a corresponding number of said openings extendingtherethrough.
 20. The improvement according to claim 13, wherein thehead restraint and said mounting arm are movable with respect to theseat in order to selectively adjust the vertical position of the headrestraint relative to the seat assembly, said mounting arm beingslidably received in said opening in said portion of said light housingmounting means for movement of the head restraint and said mounting armrelative thereto.
 21. The improvement according to claim 20, whereinsaid opening in said light housing mounting means is disposed generallybetween the seat and the head restraint, said light housing mountingmeans supporting said light housing in a generally downwardly-suspendedposition relative to the top of the seat when said light housing ismounted thereon, said light housing mounting means being the sole meansfor retaining said light housing to the seat assembly.
 22. Theimprovement according to claim 20, wherein said opening in said lighthousing mounting means is disposed generally between the seat and thehead restraint, said light housing mounting means and the head restraintmounting means supporting said light housing in a generallyupwardly-extending disposition relative to the top of the seat when saidlight housing is installed thereon.
 23. The improvement according toclaim 20, wherein said light housing mounting means includes a platemember having said opening extending therethrough, said plate memberbeing fixed to said light housing.
 24. The improvement according toclaim 23, wherein the head restraint is movable with respect to the seatin order to selectively adjust the vertical position of the headrestraint relative to the seat assembly, said light housing beingretained for movement with the head restraint with respect to the seat.25. The improvement according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle includesa power source, said seat assembly further comprising power lead meansfor operably interconnecting said light with said power source, at leasta portion of said power lead means extending generally along the headrestraint mounting means, the head restraint mounting means includingmeans for at least partially housing said power lead means.
 26. Theimprovement according to claim 25, wherein said light housing mountingmeans includes a recessed portion for receiving said power lead meanstherein.
 27. In a seat assembly for a vehicle, including a seat havingfront and rear sides, a head restraint, and head restraint mountingmeans for interconnecting said head restraint with said seat, theimprovement comprising: a mirror and light housing, including a mirrorand a light; and a mirror and light mounting means coupled with saidmirror and light housing for mounting said mirror and light housing onthe rear of the seat assembly, said mirror and light housing mountingmeans including means for coupling with, and being retained by, the headrestraint mounting means at a position generally between the seat andthe head restraint in order to retain and support said mirror and lighthousing on the rear side of the seat, the head restraint mounting meansincluding at least one mounting arm supportingly interconnecting thehead restraint with the seat, said mirror said light housing mountingmeans including at least one plate member fixed to said mirror and lighthousing and having at least one opening extending therethrough forreceiving said mounting arm extending therethrough in order to connectsaid mirror and light housing with said mounting arm and to retain saidmirror and light housing on the seat assembly.
 28. The improvementaccording to claim 27, wherein the vehicle includes a power source, saidseat assembly further comprising power lead means for operablyinterconnecting said light with said power source, at least a portion ofsaid power lead means extending generally along the head restraintmounting means, the head restraint mounting means including means for atleast partially housing said power lead means.
 29. The improvementaccording to claim 28, wherein said mirror and light housing mountingmeans includes means for receiving and at least partially housing saidpower lead means therein.
 30. The improvement according to claim 27,wherein said mirror and light housing includes a mirror and lightreceptacle means for receiving and supporting said mirror and said lightthereon, said plate member being integrally formed with said mirror andlight receptacle means.
 31. The improvement according to claim 27,wherein the head restraint and said mounting arm are movable withrespect to the seat in order to selectively adjust the vertical positionof the head restraint relative to the seat assembly, said mounting armbeing slidably received in said opening in said plate member formovement of the head restraint and said mounting arm relative thereto.32. The improvement according to claim 31, wherein said mirror and lighthousing is supported by said plate and said mounting arm in a generallydownwardly-suspended disposition relative to the top of the seat whensaid mirror and light housing is mounted thereon.
 33. The improvementaccording to claim 31, wherein said mirror and light housing issupported by said plate and said mounting arm in a generallyupwardly-extending disposition relative to the top of the seat when saidmirror and light housing is mounted thereon.
 34. The improvementaccording to claim 27, wherein said mirror and light housing issupported by said plate and said mounting arm in a generallyupwardly-extending disposition relative to the top of the seat when themirror and light housing is mounted on the seat assembly, the headrestraint including an open portion therein for receiving said mirrorand light housing extending thereinto.
 35. The improvement according toclaim 34, wherein said head restraint and said mirror and light housingare movable together with respect to the seat.
 36. The improvementaccording to claim 27, wherein said mirror and light housing furtherincludes a cover for said mirror and light, said mirror and said lightbeing pivotally connected to said mirror and light housing for pivotalmovement relative thereto about a first axis, said cover being pivotallyinterconnected to said mirror and light housing for pivotal movementrelative thereto about a second axis between a first closed positionsubstantially covering said mirror and light and a second positionwherein said mirror and light are not covered.
 37. The improvementaccording to claim 36, wherein said first and second axes are bothgenerally horizontal.
 38. The improvement according to claim 36, furthercomprising a universal connection for pivotally connecting said mirrorand said light with said mirror and light housing for generallyuniversal pivotal movement with respect thereto.
 39. The improvementaccording to claim 36, wherein said mirror and light are interconnectedto one another for pivotal movement together with respect to said mirrorand light housing.
 40. In a seat assembly for a vehicle, including aseat having front and rear sides, a head restraint, and head restraintmounting means for interconnecting said head restraint with said seat,the improvement comprising: a vehicle accessory housing including avehicle accessory; and an accessory housing mounting means coupled withsaid accessory housing for mounting said accessory housing on the seatassembly, said accessory housing mounting means including means forcoupling with, and being retained by, the head restraint mounting meansin order to retain and support said accessory housing on one of thesides of the seat, the head restraint mounting means including at leastone mounting arm supportingly interconnecting the head restraint withthe seat, said vehicle accessory housing mounting means including atleast one plate member fixed to said vehicle accessory housing andhaving at least one opening extending therethrough for receiving saidmounting arm extending therethrough in order to connect said vehicleaccessory housing with said mounting arm and to retain said vehicleaccessory housing on the seat assembly.
 41. The improvement according toclaim 40, wherein said accessory housing mounting means is connectedwith, and retained by, the head restraint mounting means at a positiongenerally between the seat and the head restraint.
 42. The improvementaccording to claim 41, wherein said accessory housing mounting means andthe head restraint mounting means support said accessory housing in agenerally downwardly-suspended disposition relative to the top of theseat when said accessory housing is mounted thereon, said accessoryhousing mounting means being the sole means for retaining said accessoryhousing to the seat assembly.
 43. The improvement according to claim 41,wherein said accessory housing mounting means and the head restraintmounting means support said accessory housing in a generallyupwardly-extending disposition relative to the top of the seat when saidaccessory housing is installed thereon.
 44. The improvement according toclaim 40, wherein the vehicle includes a power source, said seatassembly further comprising power lead means for operablyinterconnecting said accessory with said power source, at least aportion of said power lead means extending generally along the headrestraint mounting means, the head restraint mounting means includingmeans for at least partially housing said power lead means. .Iadd. 45.In a seat assembly for a vehicle, including a seat having front and rearsides, a head restraint, and head restraint mounting means forinterconnecting said head restraint with said seat, the improvementcomprising: a video accessory housing including a video accessory; and avideo accessory housing mounting means coupled with said video accessoryhousing for mounting said video accessory housing on the seat assembly,said video accessory housing mounting means including means for couplingwith, and being retained by, the head restraint mounting means in orderto retain and support said video accessory housing on one of the sidesof the seat, the head restraint mounting means including at least onemounting arm supportingly interconnecting the head restraint with theseat, said video accessory housing mounting means including at least oneplate member fixed to said video accessory housing and having at leastone opening extending therethrough for receiving said mounting armextending therethrough in order to connect said video accessory housingwith said mounting arm and to retain said video accessory housing on theseat assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. The improvement according to claim45, wherein said video accessory housing mounting means is connectedwith, and retained by, the head restraint mounting means at a positiongenerally between the seat and the head restraint. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47.The improvement according to claim 46, wherein said video accessoryhousing mounting means and the head restraint mounting means supportsaid video accessory housing in a generally downwardly-suspendeddisposition relative to the top of the seat when said video accessoryhousing is mounted thereon, said video accessory housing mounting meansbeing the sole means for retaining said video accessory housing to theseat assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. The improvement according to claim46, wherein said video accessory housing mounting means and the headrestraint mounting means support said video accessory housing in agenerally upwardly-extending disposition relative to the top of the seatwhen said video accessory housing is installed thereon. .Iaddend..Iadd.49. The improvement according to claim 48, wherein the vehicleincludes a power source, said seat assembly further comprising powerlead means for operably interconnecting said video accessory with saidpower source, at least a portion of said power lead means extendinggenerally along the head restraint mounting means, the head restraintmounting means including means for at least partially housing said powerlead means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. The improvement according to claim 45,wherein said video accessory includes a video receiver device. .Iaddend..Iadd.51. The improvement according to claim 45, wherein said videoaccessory includes a video game device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52. In a seatassembly for a vehicle, including a seat having front and rear sides, ahead restraint, and head restraint mounting means for interconnectingsaid head restraint with said seat, the improvement comprising: an audioaccessory housing including an audio accessory; and an audio accessoryhousing mounting means coupled with said audio accessory housing formounting said audio accessory housing on the seat assembly, said audioaccessory housing mounting means including means for coupling with, andbeing retained by, the head restraint mounting means in order to retainand support said audio accessory housing on one of the sides of theseat, the head restraint mounting means including at least one mountingarm supportingly interconnecting the head restraint with the seat, saidaudio accessory housing mounting means including at least one platemember fixed to said audio accessory housing and having at least oneopening extending therethrough for receiving said mounting arm extendingtherethrough in order to connect said audio accessory housing with saidmounting arm and to retain said audio accessory housing on the seatassembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. The improvement according to claim 52,wherein said audio accessory housing mounting means is connected with,and retained by, the head restraint mounting means at a positiongenerally between the seat and the head restraint. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54.The improvement according to claim 53, wherein said audio accessoryhousing mounting means and the head restraint mounting means supportsaid audio accessory housing in a generally downwardly-suspendeddisposition relative to the top of the seat when said audio accessoryhousing is mounted thereon, said audio accessory housing mounting meansbeing the sole means for retaining said audio accessory housing to theseat assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55. The improvement according to claim53, wherein said audio accessory housing mounting means and the headrestraint mounting means support said audio accessory housing in agenerally upwardly-extending disposition relative to the top of the seatwhen said audio accessory housing is installed thereon. .Iaddend..Iadd.56. The improvement according to claim 55, wherein the vehicleincludes a power source, said seat assembly further comprising powerlead means for operably interconnecting said audio accessory with saidpower source, at least a portion of said power lead means extendinggenerally along the head restraint mounting means, the head restraintmounting means including means for at least partially housing said powerlead means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.57. The improvement according to claim 52,wherein said audio accessory includes an audio radio receiving device..Iaddend. .Iadd.58. The improvement according to claim 52, wherein saidaudio accessory includes an audio tape cassette player. .Iaddend..Iadd.59. The improvement according to claim 52, wherein said audioaccessory includes a compact disc player. .Iaddend.